Community Development Strategies

Urban Planning and Development October 25, 2025
Enquire About This Course

Introduction

This course provides a strategic framework for practitioners involved in comprehensive neighborhood improvement and revitalization. It moves beyond physical planning to encompass the crucial social, economic, and organizational dimensions of community change. Participants will explore models like Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), learn how to mobilize local capital and human resources, and master the tools for program evaluation and financing. The core focus is on building local capacity and empowering residents to drive sustainable, equitable development within their own communities.

Objectives

The objective of this course is to equip participants with the strategic tools and methodologies for planning and implementing effective, equitable community development initiatives. Upon completion, participants will be able to:

Target Audience

  • Community Development Corporation (CDC) Staff and Directors
  • Non-profit and Faith-Based Community Leaders
  • Municipal Planners and Economic Development Staff
  • Social Workers and Community Organizers
  • Students in Planning, Sociology, or Public Administration
  • Microfinance and Community Lender Professionals
  • Neighborhood Association Leaders

Methodology

  • Case Studies of successful Community Development Corporation (CDC) models
  • Group Activities: Conducting a mock Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) inventory
  • Discussions on the ethical challenge of gentrification vs. investment
  • Individual Exercises: Drafting a logic model for a community service program
  • Guest speakers from local CDCs and community financial institutions
  • Role-playing scenarios: Facilitating a contentious community visioning meeting

Personal Impact

  • Master methodologies for equitable and asset-based community assessment and planning
  • Gain practical knowledge of CD financing and resource mobilization (e.g., LIHTC, CDFIs)
  • Enhance skills in inclusive community engagement and conflict resolution
  • Develop expertise in linking physical development with social and economic goals
  • Improve program management and rigorous impact evaluation skills
  • Become a leader capable of fostering self-sustaining neighborhood capacity

Organizational Impact

  • Build stronger, more resilient, and self-determining local neighborhoods
  • Attract and leverage private and public capital for targeted investment
  • Increase the supply of affordable housing and local job creation
  • Improve the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of neighborhood programs
  • Reduce social inequality and improve access to opportunity for residents
  • Enhance public trust and legitimacy through community-led development processes

Course Outline

Unit 1: Foundations and Theoretical Models

Core Concepts
  • Defining Community Development (CD) and its distinction from urban renewal
  • The concept of community capital (social, physical, human, financial)
  • Principles of self-determination, empowerment, and resident control
  • Ethical considerations in CD practice (e.g., balancing gentrification and investment)
CD Methodologies
  • Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) and its focus on existing strengths
  • Theories of change: organizing, planning, and technical assistance models
  • Integrated vs. single-purpose CD strategies (e.g., housing vs. comprehensive)
  • The role of anchor institutions and regional partners in local development

Unit 2: Community Needs and Assets Assessment

Data and Assessment
  • Conducting demographic and socio-economic analysis of a neighborhood
  • Methods for inventorying community assets (e.g., organizations, skills, land)
  • Utilizing Participatory Action Research (PAR) and community-led surveys
  • Identifying gaps in local services, infrastructure, and access to opportunity
Stakeholder Engagement
  • Techniques for inclusive and equitable community engagement and visioning
  • Facilitating dialogue across diverse stakeholder groups (residents, business, government)
  • Building capacity for community organizing and sustained activism
  • Structuring effective community boards and governance groups

Unit 3: Economic and Workforce Development

Local Economic Strategies
  • Strategies for supporting and growing local businesses and entrepreneurship
  • Community wealth building models (e.g., worker co-ops, anchor institution purchasing)
  • Micro-lending, CDFIs, and access to capital in underserved areas
  • The role of cultural and heritage tourism in neighborhood economic revitalization
Workforce and Training
  • Assessing local labor market demand and skill gaps
  • Developing targeted workforce training and job readiness programs
  • Linking community residents to local job creation opportunities
  • Addressing structural barriers to employment and economic mobility

Unit 4: Housing and Physical Development

Housing and Land Use
  • The role of CDCs in creating and managing affordable housing (e.g., rehabilitation, new construction)
  • Utilizing Community Land Trusts (CLTs) for permanent affordability
  • Strategic neighborhood master planning and placemaking initiatives
  • Managing the interface between new development and anti-displacement strategies
Public Space and Infrastructure
  • Planning for neighborhood parks, community gardens, and green spaces
  • The role of public art and cultural programming in community revitalization
  • Advocacy for infrastructure improvements (e.g., transit, broadband, streets)
  • Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles for safety

Unit 5: Program Management and Sustainability

Financing and Fund Development
  • Grant writing, foundation relations, and fundraising strategies for non-profits
  • Maximizing revenue from social enterprises and earned income ventures
  • Compliance and reporting for federal and state CD funding (e.g., CDBG, HOME)
  • Developing a sustainable financial model for long-term CDCs
Evaluation and Learning
  • Developing measurable performance indicators for community development outcomes
  • Program evaluation methodologies (e.g., logic models, outcome mapping)
  • Building organizational capacity for continuous learning and adaptation
  • Strategies for documenting and communicating community impact

Ready to Learn More?

Have questions about this course? Get in touch with our training consultants.

Submit Your Enquiry